Jul. 31, 2013

'Sleeping Beauty' will make U.S. debut at Civic Center

Matthew Bourne’s “Sleeping Beauty” will debut in the United States with three shows at the Des Moines Civic Center on Sept. 27-28, kicking off the 2013-14 season of the Willis Broadway Series.

Bourne’s new scenario introduces several characters not seen in the fairy tale or in Marius Petipa’s famous ballet. The Royal Family is presided over by King Benedict and Queen Eleanor. Princess Aurora’s romantic interest is not a prince, but the royal gamekeeper, Leo. Representing the central forces of good and evil are Count Lilac (“the King of the Fairies”) and the Dark Fairy Carabosse. Bourne has created the character of Caradoc, the sinister but charming son of Carabosse. Princess Aurora’s fairy godparents are named Ardor, Hiberna, Autumnus, Feral and Tantrum.

Award-winning 'Wicked' returns to Des Moines this fall

Broadway blockbuster “Wicked” will return to the Des Moines Civic Center from Oct. 3 to Nov. 10 as part of the 2013-14 season of the Willis Broadway Series. Tickets go on sale Monday at 9 a.m. through Ticketmaster and the Civic Center ticket office.

Based on the best-selling 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire, “Wicked” has won 35 major awards, including a Grammy and three Tony Awards. The musical tells the story of the witches of Oz.